Tinubu declines to receive South African envoy as diplomatic tensions escalates over xenophobic attacks

Nigeria: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly declined to receive a special envoy sent by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, a move that signals rising diplomatic strain between Abuja and Pretoria over renewed xenophobic attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa.

The South African delegation, led by the country's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, arrived in Abuja on Friday, July 24, carrying what sources described as a "very important message" from President Ramaphosa. However, the planned engagement with President Tinubu did not take place, according to reports.

The reported diplomatic rebuff came less than 24 hours after the death of Nigerian national Chika Ibe, who was allegedly taken from his residence at Parksig Villas Complex in Bellville, Cape Town, and tortured to death by personnel of the South African Police Service (SAPS). The incident has reignited outrage in Nigeria and renewed demands for stronger action against recurring attacks on foreign Africans in South Africa.

Nigeria has consistently maintained a hardline position against xenophobic violence. Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima at the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Sierra Leone, President Tinubu urged African leaders to present a united front against what he described as Afrophobic attacks targeting fellow Africans in South Africa.

"A united voice," Shettima said on behalf of the President, "will send a clear message that such intolerance is absolutely not acceptable under any form."

The Vice President stressed that protecting the rights and dignity of Africans across the continent requires collective action through both regional and continental institutions. He also disclosed that the Federal Government had evacuated more than 1,490 Nigerians affected by previous waves of xenophobic violence, reaffirming Nigeria's commitment to pursuing stronger measures against the attacks at the African Union.

Meanwhile, Nigeria's Consulate-General in Johannesburg has demanded an immediate, transparent and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Chika Ibe's death, while also calling for accountability from South African authorities. The mission further confirmed that another Nigerian sustained serious gunshot injuries during the same police operation and is receiving medical treatment.

The latest developments underscore the growing diplomatic pressure on South Africa as renewed anti-foreigner violence threatens relations between Africa's two largest economies.